South Australians are being warned about the presence of a potentially deadly synthetic opioid in illicit drugs after an Adelaide man nearly died.
Toxicological screening detected the presence of large amounts of Protonitazene in the man last week after he consumed a single street-bought oxycodone pill.
The man was resuscitated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and has since been discharged.
The incident suggests Protonitazene may currently be contaminating illicitly-sourced oxycodone tablets and potentially other non-opioid illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine.
Individuals exposed to Protonitazene are at a high risk of opioid poisoning, and the drug can produce life-threatening toxic effects at low doses. This is especially dangerous if people are not regular opiate users or if people use drugs while unsupervised or alone.
Symptoms of using Protonitazene include pinpoint pupils and shallow breathing. Severe toxicity causes respiratory failure, coma and death.
The danger of taking any type of non-prescription medication is it is impossible to know where it has come from, what is in it and at what dose, and what affect it will have on the individual who takes it. Naloxone can reverse effects but repeated doses may be required.
Naloxone is available for free at most pharmacies without a prescription.
If you or someone else has consumed illicit drugs and is showing symptoms, act quickly. Call Triple Zero (000) or go to the closest Emergency Department immediately.
Quotes attributable to Royal Adelaide Hospital Duty Emergency Physician and ClinicalToxicologist, Associate Professor Sam Alfred
We are issuing a strong warning today of the effects of Protonitazene. These drugs are in SouthAustralia and even a small amount is capable of causing an overdose which could be fatal.
There is a major concern that this drug is being mixed with other illicit drugs, such as oxycodone inquantities which have a significant risk of death.
The national Take Home Naloxone Program makes naloxone, a lifesaving medicine that quicklyreverses the adverse effects of opioids, available for free and without a prescription.
